Laundry treating appliance with vent

ABSTRACT

A laundry treating appliance includes a ventilation system for reducing buildup of odor. The ventilation system can be configured to periodically evacuate air from the treating chamber to refresh the air within the treating chamber. Fresh air can be pumped from an entrance in the bottom of the cabinet and can exit an opening in the washing machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/616,576, filed Jan. 12, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, refreshers, and non-aqueous systems, can have a configuration based on a rotating container that at least partially defines a treating chamber in which laundry items are placed for treating. The laundry treating appliance can have a controller that implements a number of user-selectable, pre-programmed cycles of operation. Typically, washing machines can include the use of refresh washing cycle for the event that a user leaves a load of laundry in the treating chamber after running a cycle of operation for an extended period of time where a buildup of odor occurs. Alternatively, a user can run a rinse cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a laundry treating appliance having a ventilation system for reducing buildup of odor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a laundry treating appliance in the form of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a controller for controlling the operation of one or more components of the laundry treating appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a laundry treating appliance according to aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a horizontal axis washer and/or dryer implementing the concept shown in FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative laundry treating appliances in accordance with the present disclosure include a washing machine having a ventilation system for reducing buildup of odor. The ventilation system can be configured to periodically evacuate air from the treating chamber to refresh the air within the treating chamber. Fresh air can be pumped from an entrance in the bottom of the cabinet and can exit an opening in the lid or the top of the washing machine,

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a laundry treating appliance shown in the form of a washing machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. While the laundry treating appliance is illustrated as a vertical axis, top-fill washing machine, the embodiments of the present disclosure can have applicability in other fabric treating appliances, non-limiting examples of which include a combination washing machine and dryer, a refreshing/revitalizing machine, an extractor, or a non-aqueous washing apparatus.

Washing machines are typically categorized as either a vertical axis washing machine or a horizontal axis washing machine. As used herein, the “vertical axis” washing machine refers to a washing machine having a rotatable drum, perforate or imperforate, that holds fabric items and a clothes mover, such as an agitator, impeller, nutator, and the like within the drum. The clothes mover moves within the drum to impart mechanical energy directly to the clothes or indirectly through wash liquid in the drum. The clothes mover may typically be moved in a reciprocating rotational movement. In some vertical axis washing machines, the drum rotates about a vertical axis generally perpendicular to a surface that supports the washing machine. However, the rotational axis need not be vertical. The drum may rotate about an axis inclined relative to the vertical axis. As used herein, the “horizontal axis” washing machine refers to a washing machine having a rotatable drum, perforated or imperforate, that holds fabric items and washes the fabric items by the fabric items rubbing against one another as the drum rotates. In some horizontal axis washing machines, the drum rotates about a horizontal axis generally parallel to a surface that supports the washing machine. However, the rotational axis need not be horizontal. The drum may rotate about an axis inclined relative to the horizontal axis. In horizontal axis washing machines, the clothes are lifted by the rotating drum and then fall in response to gravity to form a tumbling action. Mechanical energy is imparted to the clothes by the tumbling action formed by e repeated lifting and dropping of the clothes. Vertical axis and horizontal axis machines are best differentiated by the manner in which they impart mechanical energy to the fabric articles. The illustrated exemplary washing machine of FIG. 1 is a vertical axis washing machine.

The washing machine 10 can include a structural support system comprising a cabinet 14 that defines a housing, within which a laundry holding system resides. The cabinet 14 can be a housing having a chassis and/or a frame defining an interior that receives components typically found in a conventional washing machine, such as motors, pumps, fluid lines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like. Such components will not be described further herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the present disclosure. The bottom of the cabinet 14 can be open or can include openings to allow air (A) to enter the inside of the washing machine 10. The top of the cabinet 14 can include a selectively openable lid 28 to provide access into the laundry treating chamber 32 through an open top of the basket 30. The lid 28 can include a vent 29 to allow air to exit the laundry treating chamber 32. The vent 29 can be in the form of a plurality of small holes. Alternatively, the top or sides of the cabinet 14 can include a vent 29. In addition, the vent 29 can be configured to be selectively opened and closed during operation. In some operating routines, it may be beneficial to close the vent so air flow (or possibly water) does not exit the treating chamber 32 and instead is recirculated in the treating chamber 32 during operation. In other cases, it is beneficial to keep the vent 29 in an open position to allow the air in the treating chamber 32 to refresh.

The fabric holding system of the illustrated exemplary washing machine 10 can include a rotatable basket 30 having an open top that can be disposed within the interior of the cabinet 14 and may define a treating chamber 32 for receiving laundry items for treatment. A tub 34 can also be positioned within the cabinet 14 and can define an interior within which the basket 30 can be positioned. The tub 34 can have a generally cylindrical side or tub peripheral wall 12 closed at its bottom end by a base 16 that can at least partially define a sump 60,

The basket 30 can have a generally peripheral side wall 18, which is illustrated as a cylindrical side wall, closed at the basket end by a basket base 20 to at least partially define the treating chamber 32. The basket 30 can be rotatably mounted within the tub 34 for rotation about a vertical basket axis of rotation and can include a plurality of perforations 31, such that liquid may flow between the tub 34 and the rotatable basket 30 through the perforations 31. While the illustrated washing machine 10 includes both the tub 34 and the basket 30, with the basket 30 defining the treating chamber 32, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for the laundry treating appliance to include only one receptacle, with the receptacle defining the laundry treatment chamber for receiving the load to be treated.

A clothes mover 38 may be rotatably mounted within the basket 30 to impart mechanical agitation to a load of laundry placed in the basket 30. The clothes mover 38 can be oscillated or rotated about its axis of rotation during a cycle of operation in order to produce load motion effective to wash the load contained within the treating chamber 32. Other exemplary types of laundry movers include, but are not limited to, an agitator, a wobble plate, and a hybrid impeller/agitator.

The basket 30 and the clothes mover 38 may be driven by a drive system 40 that includes a motor 41, which can include a gear case, operably coupled with the basket 30 and clothes mover 38. The motor 41 can rotate the basket 30 at various speeds in either rotational direction about the vertical axis of rotation, including at a spin speed wherein a centrifugal force at the inner surface of the basket side wall 18 is 1 g or greater. Spin speeds are commonly known for use in extracting liquid from the laundry items in the basket 30, such as after a wash or rinse step in a treating cycle of operation. A loss motion device or clutch can be included in the drive system 40 and can selectively operably couple the motor 41 with either the basket 30 and/or the clothes mover 38.

A suspension system 22 can dynamically hold the tub 34 within the cabinet 14. The suspension system 22 can dissipate a determined degree of vibratory energy generated by the rotation of the basket 30 and/or the clothes mover 38 during a treating cycle of operation, Together, the tub 34, the basket 30, and any contents of the basket 30, such as liquid and laundry items, define a suspended mass for the suspension system 22.

A liquid supply system can be provided to liquid, such as water or a combination of water and one or more wash aids, such as detergent, into the treating chamber 32. The liquid supply system can include a water supply configured to supply hot or cold water. The water supply can include a hot water inlet 44 and a cold water inlet 46, a valve assembly, which can include a hot water valve 48, a cold water valve 50, and a diverter valve 55, and various conduits 52, 56, 58. The valves 48, 50 are selectively openable to provide water, such as from a household water supply (not shown) to the conduit 52. The valves 48, 50 can be opened individually or together to provide a mix of hot and cold water at a selected temperature. While the valves 48, and conduit 52 are illustrated exteriorly of the cabinet 14, it may be understood that these components can be internal to the housing.

As illustrated, a detergent dispenser 54 can be fluidly coupled with the conduit 52 through a diverter valve 55 and a first water conduit 56. The detergent dispenser 54 can include means for supplying or mixing detergent to or with water from the first water conduit 56 and can supply such treating liquid to the tub 34. It has been contemplated that water from the first water conduit 56 can also be supplied to the tub 34 through the detergent dispenser 54 without the addition of a detergent. A second water conduit, illustrated as a separate water inlet 58, can also be fluidly coupled with the conduit 52 through the diverter valve 55 such that water can be supplied directly to the treating chamber through the open top of the basket 30. Additionally, the liquid supply system can differ from the configuration shown, such as by inclusion of other valves, conduits, wash aid dispensers, heaters, sensors, such as water level sensors and temperature sensors, and the like, to control the flow of treating liquid through the washing machine 10 and for the introduction of more than one type of detergent/wash aid.

A liquid recirculation system can be provided for recirculating liquid from the tub 34 into the treating chamber 32. More specifically, a sump 60 can be located in the bottom of the tub 34 and the liquid recirculation system can be configured to recirculate treating liquid from the sump 60 onto the top of a laundry load located in the treating chamber 32. A pump 62 can be housed below the tub 34 and can have an inlet fluidly coupled with the sump 60 and an outlet configured to fluidly couple to either or both a household drain 64 or a recirculation conduit 66. In this configuration, the pump 62 can be used to drain or recirculate wash water in the sump 60. As illustrated, the recirculation conduit 66 can be fluidly coupled with the treating chamber 32 such that it supplies liquid into the open top of the basket 30. The liquid recirculation system can include other types of recirculation systems.

It is noted that the illustrated drive system, suspension system, liquid supply system, and recirculation and drain system are shown for exemplary purposes only and are not limited to the systems shown in the drawings and described above. For example, the liquid supply, recirculation, and pump systems can differ from the configuration shown in FIG. 1, such as by inclusion of other valves, conduits, treating chemistry dispensers, sensors (such as liquid level sensors and temperature sensors), and the like, to control the flow of liquid through the washing machine 10 and for the introduction of more than one type of treating chemistry. For example, the liquid supply system can be configured to supply liquid into the interior of the tub 34 not occupied by the basket 30 such that liquid can be supplied directly to the tub 34 without having to travel through the basket 30. In another example, the liquid supply system can include a single valve for controlling the flow of water from the household water source. In another example, the recirculation and pump system can include two separate pumps for recirculation and draining, instead of the single pump as previously described.

The washing machine 10 can also be provided with a heating system (not shown) to heat liquid provided to the treating chamber 32. In one example, the heating system can include a heating element provided in the sump to heat liquid that collects in the sump. Alternatively, the heating system can be in the form of an in-line heater that heats the liquid as it flows through the liquid supply, dispensing and/or recirculation systems.

The washing machine 10 can further include a controller 70 coupled with various working components of the washing machine 10 to control the operation of the working components and to implement one or more treating cycles of operation. For example, the controller 70 can control rotation of the basket 30 to run a dry refresh cycle of operation, which can be desirable in order to reduce a buildup of odor on a laundry load. In addition, the controller 70 can control opening or closing of the vent 29 to allow airflow to exit the treating chamber 32.

Airflow, represented by arrows A, can enter through an open bottom or through one or more openings in the bottom of the cabinet 15 and can flow into the treating chamber 32. When the basket 30 is rotated, airflow A can be mixed with the relatively humid air within the basket, represented by arrows B. Furthermore, the vent 29 in the lid 28 can allow the mixture of airflow A and air B, represented by airflow C, to escape the treating chamber 32 when the vent is in an open position. Thus, the air B in the treating chamber can decrease in humidity as the basket 30 is rotated.

The control system can further include a user interface 24 that is operably coupled with the controller 70, The user interface 24 can include one or more knobs, dials, switches, displays, touch screens and the like for communicating with the user, such as to receive input and provide output. The user can enter different types of information including, without limitation, cycle selection and cycle parameters, such as cycle options.

The controller 70 can include the machine controller and any additional controllers provided for controlling any of the components of the washing machine 10. For example, the controller 70 can include the machine controller and a motor controller. Many known types of controllers can be used for the controller 70. It is contemplated that the controller is a microprocessor-based controller that implements control software and sends/receives one or more electrical signals to/from each of the various working components to implement the control software. As an example, proportional control (P), proportional integral control (PI), and proportional derivative control (PD), or a combination thereof, a proportional integral derivative control (PID), can be used to control the various components of the washing machine 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 70 can be provided with a memory 72 and a central processing unit (CPU) 74. The memory 72 can be used for storing the control software that can be executed by the CPU 74 in completing a cycle of operation using the washing machine 10 and any additional software. Examples, without limitation, of treating cycles of operation include: wash, heavy-duty wash; delicate wash; quick wash, pre-wash, refresh, rinse only, timed wash, and dry refresh, which can be selected at the user interface 24. The memory 72 can also be used to store information, such as a database or table, and to store data received from the one or more components of the washing machine 10 that can be communicably coupled with the controller 70. The database or table can be used to store the various operating parameters for the one or more cycles of operation, including factory default values for the operating parameters and any adjustments to them by the control system or by user input.

The controller 70 can be operably coupled with one or more components of the washing machine 10 for communicating with and/or controlling the operation of the components to complete a cycle of operation. For example, the controller 70 can be coupled with the hot water valve 48, the cold water valve 50, diverter valve 55, and the detergent dispenser 54 for controlling the temperature and flow rate of treating liquid into the treating chamber 32; the pump 62 for controlling the amount of treating liquid in the treating chamber 32 or sump 60; drive system 40 including a motor 41 for controlling the direction and speed of rotation of the basket 30 and/or the clothes mover 38; and the user interface 24 for receiving user selected inputs and communicating information to the user. The controller 70 can also receive input from a temperature sensor 76, such as a thermistor, which can detect the temperature of the treating liquid in the treating chamber 32 and/or the temperature of the treating liquid being supplied to the treating chamber 32. The controller 70 can also receive input from various additional sensors 78, which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity. Non-limiting examples of additional sensors 78 that can be communicably coupled with the controller 70 include: a humidity sensor, a lid position sensor, a vent position sensor, a weight sensor, and a motor torque sensor.

The controller 70 can include an algorithm configured to determine when to implement a dry refresh cycle upon receiving input from a sensor, or after a predetermined time has been reached, and after a cycle of operation has been completed and a laundry load remains within the treating chamber 32. For example, the controller 70 can determine if a dry refresh cycle should be implemented, which can include only implementing the dry refresh cycle in the determination that the lid 28 has not been opened since the last cycle of operation was completed. Furthermore, once a determination has been made that the lid 28 has been opened since the last cycle of operation was completed, the controller 70 can discontinue determining if a dry refresh cycle should be implemented.

Receiving input from a sensor can include determining a humidity, for example the humidity of air B within the basket 30, or a remaining moisture content (RMC) of a load of laundry. In the event that the humidity or RMC is determined to be greater than a predetermined threshold, the controller 70 can implement a dry refresh cycle. Alternatively, the controller 70 can implement a dry refresh cycle after a predetermined time has been reached since the last cycle of operation was completed. A predetermined time can include any form of predetermined timing, which can include the occurrence of a single time, or predetermined intervals.

Predetermined intervals can be fixed intervals, or variable intervals. For example, a fixed interval can include implementing a dry refresh cycle every 20 minutes after completion of a cycle of operation. A variable interval can include predetermined times occurring at a higher frequency and gradually decreasing the frequency of the predetermined times, such as implementing a dry refresh cycle 20 minutes after completion of a cycle of operation, again 30 minutes later, and again 40 minutes later.

FIG. 3 shows in greater detail the lid 28 including the vent 29 illustrated as a plurality of small holes along an upper to edge 28 a of the lid 28. While the vent 29 is shown as a plurality of holes, it is also possible for the vent 29 to be formed as any other suitable configuration for an aperture, such as, but not limited to a slit of any shape or a single hole. Additionally, the vent 29 can be located at any other suitable location, such as, but not limited to a side edge of the lid 28 b, a bottom edge of the lid 28 c, or portions of the cabinet 14 such as the top of the cabinet 14.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative implementation in the context of a horizontal axis laundry treating appliance 110, which has many similar parts to the implementation of FIGS. 1 and 3, and uses the same controller as in FIG. 2. Therefore, like parts will be identified with like numerals increased by 100. Only an overview of the horizontal axis implementation of FIG. 4 is described, with it being understood that all aspects of the description of FIGS. 1-3 are applicable to FIG. 4, with the only difference being a horizontal axis implementation as compared to a vertical axis implementation of FIGS. 1 and 3.

The laundry treating appliance 110 has a cabinet 114 with an access opening selectively closed by a front-opening door 128. A vent 129 is located in the front-opening door 128, but could be located in the front of the cabinet, such as above the door 128. Either or both a bottom 115 or a rear 117 of the cabinet can be open or at least partially open.

A tub 112 is located within the cabinet 114. A drum 130 is located within the tub. A motor 141 is mounted to the tub and is operably coupled to the drum 130, such that rotation of the motor 141 effects a rotation of the drum 130.

As with the vertical axis implementation, the horizontal axis implementation of FIG. 4 can be carried out by the controller 70 determining that a humidity level is such that the vent 129 is opened and the drum 130 is rotated to draw air in through either or both the open bottom 115 or open rear 117, into the rotating drum 130, and out through the vent 129. The manner in which the controller 70 determines when to effect the rotation of the drum is that same as previously described.

For purposes of the description, it should be noted that the basket 30 and drum 130 are functionally the same element in the different implementations. Unless expressly noted otherwise, the use of one term, basket or drum, means both. Similarly, the terms lid 28 and door 128 are functionally the same element in the different implementations, and, unless expressly, noted otherwise, the use of one term, lid or door, means both.

It should further be noted that the implementation of the ventilating can be enabled with a remote device, such as a cellular phone or tablet, especially when the appliance is wirelessly-enabled, such as cellular, or Bluetooth.

The aspects of the disclosure described herein can be used to ventilate a washing machine for reducing buildup of odor such that a user does not need to run a refresh washing cycle or similar upon leaving a laundry load in the washing machine for extended periods of time. The ventilation system can reduce humidity within the treating chamber to prevent the formation of odor and can also accelerate the drying time of the load.

To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described. All combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims. 

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An automatic washing machine comprising: a cabinet defining an interior with an access opening at a front side of the cabinet, the access opening adapted for insertion and removal of laundry items to be treated in a treating chamber; a water conduit adapted to provide water to the treating chamber; a rotatable basket located within the interior and rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis; a door for selectively closing the access opening and being pivotable about a generally vertical axis; a vent passage extending through a top of the door and towards the treating chamber thereby proving an air path between the outside the cabinet and the interior of the cabinet; and a controller for operating the washing machine in a plurality of cycles of operation, including at least one treating cycle where water is introduced into the treating chamber, the controller configured to, without introduction of water into the treating chamber and after completion of the treating cycle, rotate the basket at intervals which generates air flow from outside of the cabinet and into the treating chamber with the air flow passing through the vent passage to address odor buildup in the treating chamber.
 22. The washing machine as set forth in claim 21, wherein the intervals are fixed intervals.
 23. The washing machine as set forth in claim 21, wherein the intervals are variable intervals.
 24. The washing machine as set forth in claim 21, wherein the vent passage is formed by a plurality of slits at the top of the door.
 25. The washing machine as set forth in claim 21, wherein the vent passage facilitates the exit of air flow from the treating chamber outside the cabinet.
 26. The washing machine as set forth in claim 21, wherein the controller automatically initiates the rotation of the basket after completion of the treating cycle.
 27. The washing machine as set forth in claim 21, further comprising a sensor configured to detect the presence of laundry within the treating chamber.
 28. The washing machine as set forth in claim 27, wherein the controller is configured to initiate the rotation of the basket based upon a signal from the sensor indicating the presence of laundry within the treating chamber.
 29. The washing machine as set forth in claim 27, wherein the sensor is a weight sensor.
 30. The washing machine as set forth in claim 27, wherein the sensor is a door position sensor.
 31. The washing machine as set forth in claim 21 further comprising a user interface arranged on the cabinet for receiving user input for activating the basket rotation to draw air from outside the machine towards the treating chamber to address odor buildup.
 32. The washing machine as set forth in claim 21, wherein the vent passage is adjustable from an open position that permits air flow to a closed position that restricts air flow through the vent passage.
 33. The washing machine as set forth in claim 32, wherein the controller is configured to selectively open and close the vent passage. 